Royal visit: Prince William and Kate make final Vancouver stop at Kitsilano Coast Guard Station
Day 2 of the royal couple's tour sees them visit social services and meet with young leaders at a reception
The royal tour of Vancouver wrapped up at the Kitsilano Coast Guard Base where Prince William and Kate boarded a hovercraft for their journey back to Victoria.
The day began downtown when Prince William and Kate arrived by float plane just before 11 a.m. Sunday.
They were greeted by thousands of fans at Jack Poole Plaza and took the time to chat, shake some hands, receive some flowers and even a stuffed bear for the youngsters.
Heather Grandy and her eight-month-old daughter came face-to-face with the Duchess.
Vancouver says hello to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoyalCouple?src=hash">#RoyalCouple</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoyalTourCanada?src=hash">#RoyalTourCanada</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoyalVisitCanada?src=hash">#RoyalVisitCanada</a> <a href="https://t.co/85JtYoOE2s">pic.twitter.com/85JtYoOE2s</a>
—@TheCrownCa
"She asked how old she was and said that she was really cute ... she was very sweet, very nice," said Grandy.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte are not travelling with their parents today, and remain at Government House in Victoria, which is serving as the family's home base for most of the eight-day visit.
Vancouver says hello to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoyalCouple?src=hash">#RoyalCouple</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoyalTourCanada?src=hash">#RoyalTourCanada</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoyalVisitCanada?src=hash">#RoyalVisitCanada</a> <a href="https://t.co/vlYZCjWB8U">pic.twitter.com/vlYZCjWB8U</a>
—@TheCrownCa
After their walkabout, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge left in the motorcade for private visits to two local charities.
The first stop was Sheway, an organization on Vancouver's Downtown Eastside that provides support to women who are pregnant or parenting and are dealing with drug and alcohol issues.
Allison Wright, a mother of two, spoke to the Duke and Duchess.
"They seemed interested in hearing just about our human experience and our experience with our children ... seeing us as humans and not just a problem to be solved," said Wright afterwards.
Prince William and Kate receive teddy bears from Hailey Cain, 5, at Sheway, a support centre for women. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoyalVisitCanada?src=hash">#RoyalVisitCanada</a> <a href="https://t.co/2JbYvHjuSt">pic.twitter.com/2JbYvHjuSt</a>
—@cbcnewsbc
The royal couple then met Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau outside the Immigrant Services Society of B.C.'s new welcome centre.
The Duchess receives a bouquet and a smile from one of the children in the playground <a href="https://twitter.com/issbc">@issbc</a> in Vancouver <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoyalVisitCanada?src=hash">#RoyalVisitCanada</a> <a href="https://t.co/LURnYF8LMv">pic.twitter.com/LURnYF8LMv</a>
—@KensingtonRoyal
Inside they talked to two families living at the $24.5-million facility, which offers English-language classes, housing, employment and settlement programs for newly arrived immigrants and refugees.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau explained to the royal couple how Canada is helping 31,000 refugees from Syria settle into life in the country, including dealing with the weather.
"It's about neighbours helping them get used to the winters — although it's the rain here in Vancouver. Other than that, it's really the story of tremendous success because of Canadians, and not because of any one government," said Trudeau.
William and Kate meet with a family from Syria during a visit to the Immigrant Services Society in Vancouver. (CP) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoyalVisitCanada?src=hash">#RoyalVisitCanada</a> <a href="https://t.co/8NDOdixnUN">pic.twitter.com/8NDOdixnUN</a>
—@cbcnewsbc
Then William and Kate left for the Telus Gardens building downtown to take part in a reception hosted by the prime minister and meet young Canadians making a difference in their communities.
The Duke and PM <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau">@JustinTrudeau</a> meet with Olympian and Paralympian athletes recently returned from Rio <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoyalVisitCanada?src=hash">#RoyalVisitCanada</a> <a href="https://t.co/R4jpSTyLER">pic.twitter.com/R4jpSTyLER</a>
—@KensingtonRoyal
Just after 3 p.m. they arrived at the newly reopened Kitsilano Coast Guard Station to discuss the mental health challenges of first responders, and meet Indigenous leaders.
The Duke, Duchess, <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau">@JustinTrudeau</a> and Madame Trudeau arrive <a href="https://twitter.com/CCG_GCC">@CCG_GCC</a> in Kitsilano, Vancouver <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoyalVisitCanada?src=hash">#RoyalVisitCanada</a> <a href="https://t.co/kpgy6ORryU">pic.twitter.com/kpgy6ORryU</a>
—@KensingtonRoyal
Afterwards they stepped outside for a walk on the bike path and a look at the search and rescue equipment before departing by hovercraft to the Sea Island Base, and then by helicopter for Victoria.
The Duke and Mme Grégoire Trudeau were introduced to a friendly Canadian police dog <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoyalVisitCanada?src=hash">#RoyalVisitCanada</a> <a href="https://t.co/FW5TkDXzjR">pic.twitter.com/FW5TkDXzjR</a>
—@KensingtonRoyal
- Royal visit Canada: Full CBC coverage
- Royal road closures in Vancouver
- Where to meet William and Kate, and maybe George and Charlotte too
- Prince William, Kate and the kids arrive in Victoria
Kate's dress today: custom piece from her wedding dress designer Sarah Burton of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AlexanderMcqueen?src=hash">#AlexanderMcqueen</a> Resort 2017 collection <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoyalVisitCanada?src=hash">#RoyalVisitCanada</a> <a href="https://t.co/m9vPe248rr">pic.twitter.com/m9vPe248rr</a>
—@LienY
Clarifications
- An earlier version indicated 31,000 refugees from Syria, since hostilities have broken out in that country, have resettled in Vancouver. That figure is in fact the nationwide total of Syrian refugees settled.Sep 25, 2016 8:22 PM PT